At your consultation, your dentist will determine if clear aligner therapy is right for you. First, your dentist will examine your gum health and teeth to check for gaps and crowding. They will also discuss your smile goals and develop a treatment plan made just for you.
Your dentist will then take a series of digital images of your mouth as well as a mold of your teeth, known as an impression. Your dentist may make adjustments to ensure your teeth are properly aligning on the mold. Once this is complete, your dentist will ship the images and impressions to a special laboratory to make your first several sets of clear aligners.
Once your aligners are complete, your dentist will check them to ensure proper fit and alignment. You’ll wear each set per the dentist’s instructions, usually for 20-22 hours each day, and switch them out every 2 weeks. Every 6 weeks, you’ll stop by our office to pick up your next few sets of aligners and so the doctor can check your teeth to make sure they’re tracking.
Dr. Hanna strives for your satisfaction from the moment you step into the office. By listening to all of your dental concerns and developing a personalized treatment that fits your needs, Dr. Hanna is able to provide a tailored plan made just for you. Dr. Hanna is dedicated to ensuring your visit is both thorough and comfortable from start to finish. When he's not crafting beautiful smiles, Dr. Hanna loves to try new food, hike, and do anything outdoors. He looks forward to meeting you!
As a new patient at Santee Dental Group, I could not have asked for better! The staff was genuinely personable, well-connected, efficient, caring, friendly, and knowledgeable. I wished I could work there! The price was well within the range of other dentists, even slightly lower. Overall, I can say I have never before had such a wonderful experience at a dentist---in terms of skill, expertise, collegiality, congeniality, caring, and price.
Great dentist. Takes time to explain everything. Front desk exceptional customer service.
My crown replacement and cleaning by Dr. Hanna and his team was painless and quickly completed. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a local dentist.
In some cases, clear aligners can provide faster results than traditional braces.
Clear aligners gradually straighten your teeth over an extensive period of time. Each aligner tray is custom made to ensure your teeth are slightly straighter than the previous tray. Trays are replaced every two weeks until your smile has reached its optimal result. For most cases, it can take up to a year to correct your smile.
Yes! All aligners are made of medical grade BPA-free clear plastic, which means that they are both safe and comfortable to wear.
While time frames vary based on each individual patient’s needs, clear aligner therapy is known to provide quicker results than traditional braces. This is because aligners gently push on all teeth as a whole, whereas braces pull each tooth individually. In order to achieve the results you are looking for, it is crucial to follow your dentist’s instructions for wearing your custom-made clear aligners.
Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligners gently and discreetly shift your teeth without any noticeable or uncomfortable metal brackets and wires. Clear aligners are also minimally invasive, so most patients find them far more comfortable than traditional braces. Since clear aligners are easily removable, you can quickly take them out for photos and functions and place them back in at any time. However, clear aligners are not suited for everyone. If you are struggling with issues such as a malpositioned jaw or a severely misaligned bite, braces will offer a more versatile and powerful orthodontic treatment.
The cost of clear aligners is different for each patient. Factors that may affect the cost of your clear aligner therapy include the aligner brand, appointment and visits, insurance type, and more. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for clear aligner therapy is to schedule a consultation with your dentist.
Clear aligners are removable and easy to clean.
Rooted in Santee, we love caring for our community and brightening peoples’ days. We treat each patient like family and we’ll always go the extra mile to help you feel right at home!
At Santee Dental Group, your comfort is at the heart of our care. That’s why we use best-in-class technology to secure the most gentle, relaxing, and efficient appointments.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your preventive care routine or need restorative solutions, we’ve got you covered with a full spectrum of services tailored just for you.